Lawton, Bavasi talk to see if they’re on the same page

One of the big headlines elsewhere Sunday was that Matt Lawton had asked the Mariners for his release.

It turns out he didn’t. He did suggest in a mid-April meeting that if the Mariners weren’t going to use him, they might want to bring in an infielder who might be more useful. But he didn’t go so far as to request release.

Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi and Lawton, whose playing time has picked up considerably since the time of his complaint, talked briefly before Monday’s game.

Bavasi said another member of the front office talked with Kevin Kohler, Lawton’s agent, about the same time. It was reported Lawton had asked for his release, but Bavasi said that never happened.

Kohler confirmed that Monday, saying ”we never asked for a release.”

”I talked with Matt today, and he said he was fine with the way things are now,” Bavasi said.